What can be done if a councillor refuses to abide by the Council's agreed protocol for dealing with the press and media?

Question

My Town Council's Policy Committee, of which I am Chairman, is drawing up a protocol for dealing with the press and media.  One of our councillors, who is on the Committee, has said that he will refuse to be bound by the agreed protocol and will feel free to express his own opinions at any time and in any place.  Is there any action which can be taken against him if he breaches the agreed protocol?

Answer 1

It's hard to be sure, with the whole business of standards in flux as a result of government action.  The answer is probably that no action is possible beyond such things as a vote of censure.

The other line that could reasonably be taken is to make sure the local press and anyone else likely to report on council affairs is aware of the council poliicy and knows that the councillor in question is speaking for himself and not for the council.

Comments

Thank you.  I rather suspected that the answer would be as you have stated but I am most grateful for your response.